Delay in harassment case against Grace Tame's abuser
A further delay has hit a court case into allegations the man who sexually abused Grace Tame when she was a child, Nicolaas Ockert Bester, had harassed the former Australian of the Year online.
Bester is alleged to have made public posts on social media in relation to and directed at Tame in 2022.
He pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
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Nicolaas Bester sexually abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as a child. He is now accused of harassing her via social media. AAP Image/Ethan James
Bester appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court today with his matter listed for a contest mention, which is a type of preliminary hearing.
The court was told Bester's lawyer Todd Kovacic had applied by email for an adjournment in relation to the completion of a medical report.
Bester, who was in court by himself, told Magistrate Chris Webster, "My lawyer is not here, he didn't appear".
"This has been dragging on for months and months and months," Webster said.
"Surely your doctors know now what the situation is."
Webster said if Bester sought another adjournment, the matter would be sent back to the original magistrate and he would lose his right for contest mention.
The case has been adjourned several times, with Kovacic telling the court during an April 2023 appearance that Bester had suffered a medical episode and was unable to give instructions.
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Bester, who was charged in October 2022, is expected to next appear in court on February 8.
Former teacher Bester was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in jail for abusing Tame when she was a student at his school and for possessing child exploitation material.
He served one year and nine months.
Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.
She was instrumental in a campaign that resulted in 2020 law changes in her home state Tasmania allowing survivors to publicly tell their stories.
Readers seeking support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.
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